The “New” National Security Strategy

On May 22, President Barack Obama selected West Point Military Academy in New York to announce the new National Security Strategy. This new strategy for America has some differences from the previous plan.

If former President George W. Bush focused on unilateral strength and the right to pre-emptive attacks, then (apparently) President Obama’s strategy is a major adjustment. Unlike previous unilateral strategies, the new strategy focuses more on finding consensus, commitment and dialogue.

The largest difference with the “Obama doctrine” is its emphasis on the value of global cooperation, building broader security partnerships and helping other countries defend themselves. President Obama is said to want the contributions of all parties to tackle the new threats of the world, like terrorism, nuclear proliferation and climate change. He also acknowledged that the U.S. needs to cooperate more with other countries and that America must build its strength to promote and integrate national interest. In addition, the U.S. needs to have diplomats who know how to share their innovative ideas. The administration has finally recognized that the global economic crisis combined with the slow recovery rate is attractive for the growth of terrorism.

President Obama said that the new strategy includes four principles: building external strength from within through education, clean energy and innovation, promoting new diplomatic commitments and supporting international development. The current security challenge can be solved through preventing violence perpetrated by extremists and insurgents, halting the risk of nuclear proliferation, safeguarding nuclear material, combating climate change, maintaining global sustainable development, supporting other countries, avoiding conflict and healing the wounds of war.

For the first time, the National Security Strategy of America ties the domestic terrorist threats to national security to the international threats of nuclear proliferation, economic stability, climate change and the erosion of freedom and democracy abroad. Former President Bill Clinton did not mention domestic terrorism in the 1998 National Security Strategy, even though the Oklahoma City bombing occurred three years earlier. Former President Bush only mentioned this concept in the 2006 National Security Strategy.

With his notable message at West Point, President Obama again confirmed that international relations are the centerpiece of foreign policy. Since coming to power, the Obama administration has taken some steps in this strategy, such as strengthening relations with Europe, renewing its relationship with Russia, strongly promoting the Middle East peace process and consulting with other countries concerning the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan. Clearly, America will not be alone on the international scene and will not be able to solve global problems in its own way. That means that the Obama administration views multilateral international relations with more realistic eyes.

The change toward a global partnership is based on a commitment to democracy instead of unilateral action. This turns the old conservative idea of America as a superpower superior to the rest of the world on its head.

The new strategy has not changed the basic foundation, however. That is, America continues to maintain the strongest military force in the world, with a capacity that no other country can overcome, even if that power is spread thin by two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, among other challenges.